Too_Many_Tools wrote:
> I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
> data logging and control purposes.
>
> This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
> sense and control the external world.
>
> I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
> be easily found in the surplus market.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Some that come to mind are the older Sharp/Radio Shack pocket
> computers.
>
> Any suggestions are welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> TMT
>

you can pick up older palm pilots on ebay pretty cheap these days

Thanks for the response.....are the data and address lines brought out
to the I/O port?

TMT

Mark Fortune wrote:
> Too_Many_Tools wrote:
> > I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
> > data logging and control purposes.
> >
> > This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
> > sense and control the external world.
> >
> > I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
> > be easily found in the surplus market.
> >
> > Any suggestions?
> >
> > Some that come to mind are the older Sharp/Radio Shack pocket
> > computers.
> >
> > Any suggestions are welcome.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > TMT
> >
>
> you can pick up older palm pilots on ebay pretty cheap these days

Too_Many_Tools wrote:
> I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
> data logging and control purposes.
>
> This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
> sense and control the external world.
>
> I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
> be easily found in the surplus market.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Some that come to mind are the older Sharp/Radio Shack pocket
> computers.
>
> Any suggestions are welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> TMT
>
With out a reference to what you would like to sense or control.....

A 12" laptop is the best way to go.

New 12" laptops would do want you want and are cheap these days.

Speed of "sense" and speed of "control" would be my motivating factors.

Good Luck

donald

Again thanks for the response.

A 12" laptop is a bit too large...I want to have the controller pocket
sized.

I am looking for a generic controller with data/control lines brought
out to an external port. It will need to run either an internal
control/sensing program that can be compiled or interpreted (the Radio
Shack pocket computer had an interpreted floating point Basic inside).
And of course I will need a display and keyboard (detachable?) to
interface with it.

Any other suggestions?

TMT


Donald wrote:
> Too_Many_Tools wrote:
> > I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
> > data logging and control purposes.
> >
> > This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
> > sense and control the external world.
> >
> > I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
> > be easily found in the surplus market.
> >
> > Any suggestions?
> >
> > Some that come to mind are the older Sharp/Radio Shack pocket
> > computers.
> >
> > Any suggestions are welcome.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > TMT
> >
> With out a reference to what you would like to sense or control.....
>
> A 12" laptop is the best way to go.
>
> New 12" laptops would do want you want and are cheap these days.
>
> Speed of "sense" and speed of "control" would be my motivating factors.
>
> Good Luck
>
> donald

HP Jornada 820 ?

Too_Many_Tools wrote:

> Donald wrote:
>> Too_Many_Tools wrote:
>>> I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
>>> data logging and control purposes.
>>>
>>> This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
>>> sense and control the external world.
>>>
>>> I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
>>> be easily found in the surplus market.
>>>
>>> Any suggestions?

Too_Many_Tools wrote:
> Thanks for the response.....are the data and address lines brought out
> to the I/O port?
>
> TMT
>
> Mark Fortune wrote:
>
>>Too_Many_Tools wrote:
>>
>>>I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
>>>data logging and control purposes.
>>>
>>>This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
>>>sense and control the external world.
>>>
>>>I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
>>>be easily found in the surplus market.
>>>
>>>Any suggestions?
>>>
>>>Some that come to mind are the older Sharp/Radio Shack pocket
>>>computers.
>>>
>>>Any suggestions are welcome.
>>>
>>>Thanks
>>>
>>>TMT
>>>
>>
>>you can pick up older palm pilots on ebay pretty cheap these days
>
>

ooh now you're asking. I honestly dont know enough about the whole range
of palms to answer this for you. I can tell you the palm III has a
serial i/o but thats about it.

Too_Many_Tools wrote:
> I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
> data logging and control purposes.
>
> This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
> sense and control the external world.
>
> I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
> be easily found in the surplus market.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Some that come to mind are the older Sharp/Radio Shack pocket
> computers.
>
> Any suggestions are welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> TMT

The old Game Boy's are quite popular for this. There is a small
community of GBA developers out there, and info on the web etc. I think
someone has even written a C or BASIC compiler for it too...
There was an article on turning a GBA into a DSO in the Oct/2000 issue
of Elector. I think there was also an article on it in Silicon Chip a
couple of years back as well?

Palm PDA's can be used too, and they have an RS-232 serial interface,
so you'll need a micro in your add-on for this.

Dave

David L. Jones wrote:
> Too_Many_Tools wrote:
> > I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
> > data logging and control purposes.
> >
> > This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
> > sense and control the external world.
> >
> > I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
> > be easily found in the surplus market.
> >
> > Any suggestions?
> >
> > Some that come to mind are the older Sharp/Radio Shack pocket
> > computers.
> >
> > Any suggestions are welcome.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > TMT
>
> The old Game Boy's are quite popular for this. There is a small
> community of GBA developers out there, and info on the web etc. I think
> someone has even written a C or BASIC compiler for it too...
> There was an article on turning a GBA into a DSO in the Oct/2000 issue
> of Elector. I think there was also an article on it in Silicon Chip a
> couple of years back as well?

Go figure, the latest issue of Elektor has a GameBoyAdvance PLC
Controller project!
http://www.elektor.com/Default.aspx?tabid=129

The GBA has the full data/address bus available on the expansion
connector.

Dave

I'm using a Psion 5 - cheap, small, long battery life off AA cells, good
keyboard & display, and built-in very extensive programming language.
Interfacing is limited to RS232 or Irda, so I use it in combination with an
68hc11 slave connected to the serial port to give me 8 ADCs, 5 PWM (for
servos), plenty timers, counters & digital IO pins. The software on the HC11
is minimal, it accepts short strings similar to basic peek/poke commands
(memory & IO read/write). Everything else is done on the Psion. I use it as
the brains for one of my autonomous robots, and like the set-up very much.
If you arte interested, you are welcome to the software & diagrams of
course. Good luck with your project!

Peter

"Too_Many_Tools" wrote in message
news:1152503747.921941.113900@m79g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com...
>I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
> data logging and control purposes.
>
> This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
> sense and control the external world.
>
> I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
> be easily found in the surplus market.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Some that come to mind are the older Sharp/Radio Shack pocket
> computers.
>
> Any suggestions are welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> TMT
>

"Too_Many_Tools" wrote in message
news:1152503747.921941.113900@m79g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com...


> Any suggestions?

Something in Atmel perhaps - maybe a development board and a ported
BASIC / Python interpreter (or maybe nekkid C). There are GCC tools
for the AVR:

http://www.avrfreaks.net/index.php?m...em&item_id=145

In article <1152505448.746660.12490@s13g2000cwa.googlegroups.c om>,
Too_Many_Tools wrote:
>Thanks for the response.....are the data and address lines brought out
>to the I/O port?
>
>TMT


Pick a device with a USB port and I bet you can find an off-the-shelf
device that does sensor inputs and contact closure outputs, somewhere.

If you get a PDA that runs Microsoft CE you'll be able to sevelop your
software in a very standard enviroment.

OTOH, the Nokia 770 looks neat (about $400) and it's Linux-based.
Sourceforge.net shows that people are beginning to develop apps for
it.





> Mark Fortune wrote: > Too_Many_Tools wrote: > > I am looking for a
>candidate for a small pocket computer for use in > > data logging and
>control purposes. > > > > This is where one would attach a custom
>built interface that could > > sense and control the external world.
>> > > > I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA
>that can > > be easily found in the surplus market. > > > > Any
>suggestions? > > > > Some that come to mind are the older
>Sharp/Radio Shack pocket > > computers. > > > > Any suggestions are
>welcome. > > > > Thanks > > > > TMT > > > > you can pick up older
>palm pilots on ebay pretty cheap these days


--
a d y k e s @ p a n i x . c o m

Don't blame me. I voted for Gore. A Proud signature since 2001

In comp.sys.handhelds Al Dykes wrote:

: Pick a device with a USB port and I bet you can find an off-the-shelf
: device that does sensor inputs and contact closure outputs, somewhere.

The problem is that PDA:s are typically USB "clients" (to sync with a "host"
PC), and while the USB gadgets to add sensor inputs are intended to connect
to a PC, they are also "clients". Two clients cannot connect.

How do I know? I use Palm PDA to read and plot data from a logger (with my
own application). It works over RS-232 data connection. As serial Palms are
getting rare, it would be cool to be able to switch over to USB, but
unfortunately seems to be impossible...


-Tapio-

Try here:

http://www.smallrobot.com/

Plus this product line.

http://education.ti.com/educationpor...s_product.html

These calculators can be found in local college adds and ebay all the time.



"Mark Fortune" wrote in message
news:44b1d5c8$0$10952$fa0fcedb@news.zen.co.uk...
> Too_Many_Tools wrote:
>> I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
>> data logging and control purposes.
>>
>> This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
>> sense and control the external world.
>>
>> I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
>> be easily found in the surplus market.
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> Some that come to mind are the older Sharp/Radio Shack pocket
>> computers.
>>
>> Any suggestions are welcome.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> TMT
>>
>
> you can pick up older palm pilots on ebay pretty cheap these days

"Too_Many_Tools" wrote in
news:1152503747.921941.113900@m79g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com:

> I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
> data logging and control purposes.
>
> This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
> sense and control the external world.
>
> I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
> be easily found in the surplus market.
>
> Any suggestions?


You could use bluetooth. I have used an iPAQ; if you like, have a look on
my site: http://elec.rommelkist.nl/bluetooth_gb.html.

Steve

"Too_Many_Tools"
>I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
> data logging and control purposes.
>
> This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
> sense and control the external world.
>
> I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
> be easily found in the surplus market.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Some that come to mind are the older Sharp/Radio Shack pocket
> computers.
>
> Any suggestions are welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> TMT
>


I've seen lots of suggestions here, all of them very good. I'm going to
complement by telling you what I've chosen for my data logging needs.

I've bought a Pocket PC that runs at least WinPPC 2003 and a serial cable.
It also has wi-fi and bluetooth, which gives me lot's of flexibility on how
to deliver the data I've collected.

The choice of WinPPC 2003 is because the new .net (2.0) requires it as a
min. OS to deploy applications. I need to make my own software to capture
data, so making it in C# using the same environment I'm already used to make
winXP apps was a huge point for me.

Cheers

Padu

On Mon, 10 Jul 2006 04:39:59 GMT, "Jason S. Mantor"
wrote:

>HP Jornada 820 ?

That's almost the size of a 12" laptop. Also, it has a serial (RS232)
port, but nothing as low-level as the OP wants. An HP 620, 680, or 720
would at least be smaller, but has the same i/o limits.


>
>Too_Many_Tools wrote:
>
>> Donald wrote:
>>> Too_Many_Tools wrote:
>>>> I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
>>>> data logging and control purposes.
>>>>
>>>> This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
>>>> sense and control the external world.
>>>>
>>>> I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
>>>> be easily found in the surplus market.
>>>>
>>>> Any suggestions?

-----------------------------------------
To reply to me, remove the underscores (_) from my email address (and please indicate which newsgroup and message).

Robert E. Zaret, eMVP
PenFact, Inc.
20 Park Plaza, Suite 478
Boston, MA 02116
www.penfact.com

You seem to have made a choice, but I'll add two suggestions anyway.

The UMPCs are small enough for coat pockets, cost < $1000 US, and run
Windows XP. A bit larger and more expensive than wanted, but running
"big" Windows might be an advantage.

Many folks have been intrigued by Lego robotic add-ons. I know folks
were running programs for them on Palm OS a few years ago. And I know
that required 2 way communication. So I assume Lego fans have created
hardware that might be appropriate for this app.


On 9 Jul 2006 20:55:47 -0700, "Too_Many_Tools"
wrote:

>I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
>data logging and control purposes.
>
>This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
>sense and control the external world.
>
>I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
>be easily found in the surplus market.
>
>Any suggestions?
>
>Some that come to mind are the older Sharp/Radio Shack pocket
>computers.
>
>Any suggestions are welcome.
>
>Thanks
>
>TMT

-----------------------------------------
To reply to me, remove the underscores (_) from my email address (and please indicate which newsgroup and message).

Robert E. Zaret, eMVP
PenFact, Inc.
20 Park Plaza, Suite 478
Boston, MA 02116
www.penfact.com

On Sun, 9 Jul 2006, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

> I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
> data logging and control purposes.
>

Palm TX, full price is about $300USD, but it has Bluetooth, 802.11, USB,
and SD card interface, can be programmed with SDK freely available (in C,
or Java ... or Forth), is well documented, and has a great screen with
touch capability.

HIH ...
Rob.

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
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How about a nice simple device like an HP 95LX hand held pc? I could
sell you one, new in the box complete with manuals etc, plus a 2Mb ram
card if you like?
Kind Regards,
Doug.

Too_Many_Tools wrote:
> I am looking for a candidate for a small pocket computer for use in
> data logging and control purposes.
>
> This is where one would attach a custom built interface that could
> sense and control the external world.
>
> I am contemplating using a small pocket sized computer or PDA that can
> be easily found in the surplus market.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Some that come to mind are the older Sharp/Radio Shack pocket
> computers.
>
> Any suggestions are welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> TMT